Pumpkin Spice Syrup and Pumpkin Spice Latte

Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte is back!

No Starbucks in the morning

So Wednesday morning I got a craving for the deliciousness of Pumpkin Spice Latte.  I left my house 15 minutes prior to my usual departure time.  When I get to Starbucks, I realize I left my wallet at home because it had been knocked over.  I left dejected because I couldn't have a tasty PSL.

Once I got back to my car, I looked through my purse and found a five dollar bill!  Success!  Once I got back into the Starbucks, there was a line so I had wait for my coffee.  Then there was traffic so it was stressful getting to work on time.

So it's no Starbucks in the morning.

Making the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte 2 years ago

Two years ago, I posted a recipe for pumpkin spice lattes.  It called for blending the pumpkin puree, vanilla creamer, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice.  Then you added it to the hot coffee.  It was good but sometimes you would end up with pumpkin puree at the bottom of your mug.  Not so good.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin Spice Sryup

I saw this recipe last year but never could find the cheesecloth so I never made it.  A few weeks ago, I found cheesecloth so I made my own pumpkin spice syrup.  The cool thing about this syrup is I know exactly what is in it.  I can also control the amount of pumpkin pie spice in my syrup.

Stars of the Recipe:

• 1 C. water
• 3/4 C. brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp. pumpkin puree
• 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

1. Combine the water and sugar in a microwave safe bowl.
2. Heat in the microwave for 4 to 5 minutes.  (Mine took 4 and a half minutes.)
3. Remove and stir until sugar is dissolved.
4. Add the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.
5. Drain over a cheesecloth or small sieve.
6. Store in an airtight container (Mason jar) in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Stars of the Recipe:

• 1 to 2 Tbsp. pumpkin spice syrup
• 1/4 to 1/2 c. half and half milk
• 6 oz. hot coffee (The stronger the better.  Or use a pumpkin spice blend coffee.)
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (optional)

Directions:

1. Add syrup and half and half to the mug.  (Make sure the mug is big enough.)
2. If you are not using a Keurig, warm the milk up in the microwave for about a minute.  Add hot coffee and then mix together.  Add whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice if you want to.
3. If you are using a Keurig, brew the coffee over the half and half and syrup.  Top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice, if wanted.
4. Enjoy!!!!

Hot Chocolate Mix

Here's another easy gift idea.  Who doesn't like a nice cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows?  Okay maybe someone who doesn't like chocolate.  Since it's winter, this is a nice gift to help the recipient of the gift warm up on those cold days.

Hot Chocolate Mix

Stars of the recipe:

• 2 c. dry milk


• 1/2 c. cocoa powder


• 3/4 c. sugar


• 1/2 c. non dairy creamer (I used French vanilla.)


• optional:  mini marshmallows, mini candy cane, or chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Combine all the ingredients except for marshmallows, mini candy cane, or chocolate chips.


2. When ready to make a cup of hot chocolate, place 2 to 3 heaping Tbsps. of mix in a coffee mug.


3. Pour 6 ounces of boiling water over the mix.


4. Top with either chocolate chips, marshmallows, or mini candy cane.


5. Enjoy!

If you want to make a Mexican hot chocolate, add 2 tsp. ground cinnamon to the mix.

If you are going to give it as a gift, place 6 Tbsp. of the mix in a bag and the marshmallows or chocolate chips.  If you are going to give a candy cane, tape it to the outside of the bag.  Place the instructions: combine 2 - 3 Tbsp. mix with 6 ounces of boiling water.

Tastes of Thanksgiving Green Smoothie

So last week, I had my blender cup washed after making a smoothie.  The Wee One and the Imaginative One put away the dishes after the dishwasher was finished.  Somehow my blades got put into silverware/ utensil drawer (double drawer) and the band that held the blade was missing.  I had been craving a smoothie but couldn't make one because of the missing piece.  :(

Today the Wee One found the piece in our cereal/ plastic ware cabinet so I decided to make the smoothie I had been craving.  I had bought some fresh cranberries today so I decided to put them in the smoothie.  Yum!!!  Since I didn't put any sugar in the smoothie, it turned out tart but that's okay with me.  If you make this, you may want to put some type of sweetener in it if you don't like tart flavors.

This smoothie is called tastes of Thanksgiving green smoothie because I love eating cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving and the flavors of this smoothie remind me of cranberry sauce.  

 

Tastes of Thanksgiving Green Smoothie

Stars of the recipe:

• 1/4 c. fresh cranberries, washed


• 1/4 c. frozen strawberries


• 2 c. greens (I used power greens - kale, spinach, and Swiss chard.)


• 1/2 c. orange juice


• water if you need more liquids (add a little at a time)


• optional:  1 Tbsp. your favorite sweetener (more or less depending on your taste buds.)

Steps:

1. Add all the ingredients to your blender cup.


2. Blend together on the smoothie setting until blended together.


3. Pour into a cup.


4. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Carrot Tropical Smoothie

This smoothie looked interesting so I decided to try it. At first, I was skeptical because it contained carrot juice but it ended up being delicious! It's a wonderful way to get fruits and veggies you need!

Side note: I took it to work one day. Some students asked me what was in it. When I said carrot juice, they all gave me a look of disgust. (They had thought it looked good until I told them carrot juice.)

Carrot Tropical Smoothie

Slender Kitchen

Stars of the recipe:

• 1/2 c. carrot juice, either juice it yourself or get a brand like Bolthouse Farms


• 1/2 c. orange juice


• 3/4 c. frozen mango


• 3/4 c. frozen pineapple


• juice of 1/2 of a lime (Stick in microwave for 10 seconds before juicing it. That maximizes the amount of juice you get.)


• If you want to you, you could add nonfat Greek yogurt for added protein. I haven't tried it yet but I bet it would be delicious.

Steps:

1. Put all of the ingredients in your blender.


2. Blend away until desired consistency. If need be, add water if it doesn't blend.


3. Enjoy!

The Imaginative One's Fresh Lemonade

There are 3 seasons according to the Imaginative One - lemonade season, hot chocolate season, and apple cider season. His favorite drink to have depends on what season it is. Now that's the weather is getting warmer, it's back to lemonade season once again. Tonight as I was getting dinner ready, he was asking me questions about lemons and if he could have one of them. I kept trying to find out what he was up to because it could not have been good.

When I was on the computer, I noticed a tab that said something about perfect lemonade. He was trying to find the perfect ratio of lemon juice to water in order to make lemonade. The recipe called for making simple syrup. I did not want him attempting to make that and I was also using the majority of the stove top. So he just added sugar to the finished product to make it sweeter.

The Imaginative One's Fresh Lemonade

Stars of the recipe:

• 1/4 c. lemon juice (fresh or out of the bottle - If using fresh, microwave the lemons for about 10 seconds to maximize the amount of juice.)


• 3/4 to 1 c. of water


• sweetener to taste

Steps:

1. Combine the lemon juice and water in a cup.


2. Add the sweetener. Stir until dissolved.


3. Enjoy over ice!

Makes enough for one person.

Key Lime Smoothie

One of my favorite smoothies at Tropical Smoothie is the Blimey Limey. It has strawberries, limes, oranges, and pineapples. I love the tang of the limes in the drink. So when I found a recipe for a smoothie that used limes, I was had to try it out. Delicious!

After drinking it, I was super energized. In fact one of my students mentioned I was hyper. I don't know if it was from the smoothie or from the two cups of coffee I had that morning. (Didn't sleep well the night before.)

Key Lime Smoothie

Healthful Pursuit

Stars of the recipe:

• 2 tbsp. key lime juice (about 4 limes) - I microwave mine for about 10 secs. to maximize the amount of juice.


• 1 tsp. key lime zest


• 1 c. unsweetened non-dairy milk


• 1 ripe frozen banana


• 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract (I omitted this because I used vanilla almond coconut milk.)


• 1 tbsp. stevia


• 1 tbsp. sunflower butter


• 2 c. baby spinach


• 4 ice cubes


• crushed graham cracker pieces (optional)


• Cool Whip or something similar (optional)

Steps:

1. Place in your blender in the order of the ingredients listed, blend until smooth.


2. Top with crushed graham crackers and Cool Whip, if desired.


3. Enjoy!

This made 2 smoothies for me.



Someone asked me what you could use instead of bananas.  I found this link for other ingredients you can use instead of bananas.

 

Smoothies are quick and delicious. They can be healthy depending on the ingredients in the smoothie.

This smoothie reminds you of Apple Jack cereal without all the sugar.

Apple Jack Smoothie

Happy Herbivore

Stars of the recipe:

• 1 c. Unsweetened almond milk


• 1 c. Banana, frozen (Mine was not frozen. The smoothie was just more liquidity.)


• 1 c. Fresh spinach


• 1/2 Apple, diced


• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon


• 1 date (for sweetness - I left it out of mine and it was okay.)

Steps:

1. Place in blender.


2. Blend it until smooth.


3. Drink and enjoy!

Skinnier "Shamrock" Shake

Oh my goodness, I found a recipe that made the Shamrock shake healthier with fewer calories. It's full of good fats.

One of the ingredients might surprise you. It gives you the green coloring without food dye.

Now when the boys have their Homemade "Shamrock" shake, I can have this instead. Yeah!

Oh, it's also husband approved.

Skinnier "Shamrock" Shake
Skinny Taste

Stars of the recipe:

• 2 Tbsp. plus 1 1/2 tsp. avocado


• 1/4 c. plus 1 Tbsp. low fat frozen vanilla yogurt


• 1/4 c. plus 1 Tbsp. nonfat milk


• 1/2 Tbsp. Truvia or Stevia


• 1 tsp. mint or peppermint extract


• 1/2 c.crushed ice

Steps:

1. Put ice in the blender. Crush it.


2. Add the other ingredients to the blender.


3. Blend it until all the ingredients are incorporated.


4. Enjoy!

St. Patty's Smoothie

Yum! And heathy are 2 words to describe this smoothie.  Since I was going to be making the boys homemade "Shamrock" shakes, I made myself one of these instead. 

This is another easy recipe to put together.  This recipe makes four servings.  I put the other three servings in the freezer so I can enjoy them later.  (They are already portioned out so all I have to do is pull it out of the freezer, thaw it out, pour it into a cup, and then enjoy.)

St. Patty's Smoothie

Stars of the recipe:

• 1.5 c. of unsweetened vanilla almond milk


• 2 bananas


• 1 cup spinach


• 1 tsp. peppermint extract


• 1 tsp. vanilla extract


• 1/4 c. chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Place all the ingredients except for the chocolate chips in the blender.


2. Blend until smoothie.


3. Add the chocolate chips.


4. Blend until the chips have been combined.


5. Pour a fourth of it in a cup.  Divide the rest into 3 quart sized bags that have been labeled.  Place those 3 bags in the freezer for later.


6. Enjoy the smoothie in the cup!

Homemade "shamrock" shakes

Last week, I took the boys to McDonalds so they could try the Shamrock shake. Both of them loved it! This week I decided to make my own version. Ice cream was on sale for a pint. Can't beat a dollar for a pint!

It's so simple to make. Just put the ingredients in the blender and blend away.

Oh and while they were enjoying their treat, I was enjoying my St. Patty's smoothie. Recipe to come later.

 Anticipating his first taste

Homemade "shamrock" shake

Stars of the recipe:

•  1 pint of vanilla ice cream


• 3-4 drops of green food coloring


• 1 tsp. peppermint extract


• 1/2 c. Milk (more or less depending on preference)

Steps:

1. Place all ingredients in the blender.


2. Blend away.


3. Enjoy!

The Imaginative One says it would be better with whipped cream.

Oh, this recipe makes 2 shakes or one big one.

During the holiday season, I participated in a group called the Healthy Elves (now Healthy Self).  I tried many new things.  One of the new things I tried was green smoothies.  I didn't know what I was  missing because they are delicious and healthy.  

This is my basic "recipe" or method to make them.  You can change the smoothie up by adding different fruits or changing up the fruits depending on your likes and dislikes.

Power Up Green Smoothie

Stars of the recipe:

• 1 c. baby spinach


• 1/2 c. frozen strawberries


• 1/2 c. almond milk (I like vanilla unsweetened almond coconut.)


• 1 kiwi peeled and cut into pieces (I get rid of the middle part.)


• 1/2 - 1 Tbsp. chia seeds

Directions:

1. Place spinach, strawberries, almond milk, and chia seeds in a blender cup or blender.  


2. Blend until smooth.


3. Add the kiwi.


4. Blend until smooth.


5. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

I love lattes.  Love, love, love them!  Okay I guess you get the picture.  My favorite flavoring is peppermint or mint depending on what the coffee-house has on stock.  During the fall, I love pumpkin spice lattes though.

Last week, I taught for a half of a school day, attended a funeral and then luncheon, walked over to the boys' school to pick them up in extreme humidity, and then spent time with family.  After all that, I needed a nap which I took.  Once I woke up, I picked up the boys to go visit with my mom and her friend.  I was still dragging so I went to Starbucks and discovered they had pumpkin spice lattes a few days earlier than normal.  I was so excited!!!

For the past few years, I've been attempting to recreate the latte at home but was unsuccessful.  If you don't succeed, keep trying.  This year I was finally successful.  Yeah!

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Once a Month Mom

Stars of the recipe:

• 3 Tbsp. pumpkin puree


• 1/2 Tbsp. vanilla creamer


• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon


• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg


• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger


• 1/2 Tbsp. brown sugar


• 3 oz. milk


• 6 oz. strong coffee

Steps:

1. Blend all the ingredients except for the coffee.  (Blend until smooth.)


2. Microwave the blended ingredients for 1 minute.


3. Add the hot coffee.


4. Top with extra ground cinnamon or whipped cream (optional).


5. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Iced coffee

In 2007, I was introduced to a drink called iced coffee. My sister and I went to Pittsburgh for my paternal grandma's funeral and I remember driving 2 different McDonalds trying their iced coffee. It was there I discovered their iced coffee was too sweet for my liking.

My favorite place to get iced coffee is Tim Horton's. You can customize it to your liking. I think that school year I stopped at Tim Horton's almost everyday. I've now stopped going there as often.

I've seen different recipes on how to make the concentrate. I decided I needed to try it out and was pleasantly surprised with how well it turned out.

Warning: It takes 10 to 12 hours for the concentrate to "brew.". Then it takes a while for it to strain to get rid of the coffee grounds. But it's totally worth the wait.



Ice Coffee

Stars of the recipe:

• 1.5 qrt container


• cheese cloth or coffee Filter


• Colander


• Mixing bowl


• Container to store the concentrate in


• 1 c. Ground coffee


• 32 oz. cold water


• additional ingredients: milk, creamer, sugar, ice (Whatever you like in your coffee)

Steps:

1.  Put ground coffee in container.


2. Pour 32 ounces of cold water over ground coffee.


3. Put container in fridge or on the kitchen counter for 10 to 12 hours.


4. Using either a cheesecloth or a coffee filter line a colander. Place the Colander over a bowl


5. Slowly pour the coffee into the colander.


6. Allow the coffee to drain through the cheesecloth or coffee filter. (Replace the coffee filter as many times as needed.)


7. Place the concentrate into another container. Refrigerate the concentrate for up to a month.

To make ice coffee:
I use 4 ounces of the concentrate. I add 2 ounces of milk and a little bit of creamer and then a few ice cubes. Lastly I shake it up or stir it up. Then I enjoy my creation.

"Tropical Smoothie" Smoothies

Last summer, my aunt left me a mesage on Facebook about Tropical Smoothie giving away a free smoothie if you came in with flip flops on.  The boys and I jumped on that deal.  As a result, the Imaginative One fell in love with the strawberry banana smoothie (don't remember it's real name).  Once I got the smoothie maker, the Imaginative One and I decided to try to recreate the smoothie.  I had to add a little of this and a little of that before the Imaginative One gave his seal of approval.

These are not exactly like the smoothies from Tropical Smoothie but are similar.

"Tropical Smoothie" Smoothie

Stars of the recipe:

• 
  
  1/2 of a banana


• 
  
  1/2 cup frozen cut up strawberries


• 
  
  1 tsp. vanilla extract


• 
  
  1 Tbsp. sugar or sugar substitute


• 
  
  2 Tbsp. to 1/4 cup of yogurt (I use Greek yogurt.)


• 
  
  1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk

Steps:

1. 
   
   Put all of the ingredients in a blender or smoothie blender cup.


2. 
   
   Blend the ingredients until smooth.


3. 
   
   Pour in a glass.


4. 
   
   Enjoy!

Fruit Smoothie

Yummy!  And healthy!  That's two words that describe these smoothies.

Right before Christmas, I bought an individual smoothie maker with cups for a Christmas gift for the whole family.  The Imagative One and I love making and drinking smoothies.  He also likes to drink milk shakes made with the smoothie maker.  I will share his favorite smoothie on a different post.

Breakfast Smoothie

Stars of the recipe:

• 
  
  6 to 8 oz of fruit juice (I've used 100% Juice Cranberry-Blueberry, Lite Cranberry Raspberry, and Ruby Red Grapefruit-Cherry.  All those were for different smoothies.)


• 
  
  1/4 c. yogurt (I've used Greek yogurt for an extra boost of protein.)


• 
  
  1 cup of frozen fruit (I've used either cherries or strawberries.)

Steps:

1. 
   
   Put all the ingredients in the individual smoothie cup or blender.


2. 
   
   Blend until combine.


3. 
   
   Pour into a cup and enjoy!